Patents by Inventor Daniel F. Donato
Daniel F. Donato has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8544740Abstract: A system having a UHF RFID transceiver is adapted to communicate exclusively with a single electro-magnetically coupled transponder located in a predetermined confined transponder operating region. The system includes a near field coupling device comprising a plurality of lines connected in parallel with an unmatched load. The near field coupling device may be formed, for example on a printed circuit board with a plurality of electrically interconnected traces and a ground plane. The system establishes, at predetermined transceiver power levels, a mutual electro-magnetic coupling which is selective exclusively for a single transponder located in a defined transponder operating region. Also included are methods for selective communication with the transponder in an apparatus such as a printer-encoder.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2011Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Karl Torchalski, Daniel F. Donato
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Patent number: 8305198Abstract: System, methods and computer program product are provided for an adaptive control for adjusting the electromagnetic interrogation signal of an RFID transceiver where said signal is used to read and/or write to an RFID transponder, or to adjust the gain of the RFID transceiver, or adjust both the gain and the signal strength. The system includes a RFID transceiver having at least a transmitter portion and a receiver portion and capable of generating electromagnetic signals, a signal-to-noise ratio module, and an adaptive control module that adjusts the power of the electromagnetic signal of the transmitter portion or the gain of the receiver portion according to the signal-to-noise ratio of a first electromagnetic signal. In one embodiment the system may be employed in printer-encoder devices for reading or encoding RFID transponders during a printing process.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2011Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventor: Daniel F. Donato
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Patent number: 8306474Abstract: An RFID communication system comprising a near field coupler that is capable of selectively communicating with a targeted transponder positioned among a group of multiple adjacent transponders. The coupler is configured to receive communication signals from a transceiver and transmit the signals to a targeted transponder in a transponder operating region. The coupler includes a number of radiating elements spaced apart and a switching element. The switching element selectively couples one or more of the radiating elements to the transceiver. The coupled elements transmit the signals into the transponder operating region by emanating a near field effect. The pattern of the near field effect may be adjusted by changing the combination of the coupled radiating elements.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2011Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Yevgeniy Borisov, Karl Torchalski, Daniel F. Donato
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Publication number: 20120270501Abstract: An RFID communication system comprising a near field coupler that is capable of selectively communicating with a targeted transponder positioned among a group of multiple adjacent transponders. The coupler is configured to receive communication signals from a transceiver and transmit the signals to a targeted transponder in a transponder operating region. The coupler includes a number of radiating elements spaced apart and a switching element. The switching element selectively couples one or more of the radiating elements to the transceiver. The coupled elements transmit the signals into the transponder operating region by emanating a near field effect. The pattern of the near field effect may be adjusted by changing the combination of the coupled radiating elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Inventors: YEVGENIY BORISOV, KARL TORCHALSKI, DANIEL F. DONATO
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Publication number: 20120212306Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to isolation devices, systems, methods and various means, for isolating ignition causing signals and/or explosions from hazardous or explosive environments.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2012Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: ZIH CORP.Inventors: Edward A. Richley, Daniel F. Donato
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Publication number: 20120108170Abstract: An RFID communication system comprising a near field coupler that is capable of selectively communicating with a targeted transponder positioned among a group of multiple adjacent transponders. The coupler is configured to receive communication signals from a transceiver and transmit the signals to a targeted transponder in a transponder operating region. The coupler includes a number of radiating elements spaced apart and a switching element. The switching element selectively couples one or more of the radiating elements to the transceiver. The coupled elements transmit the signals into the transponder operating region by emanating a near field effect. The pattern of the near field effect may be adjusted by changing the combination of the coupled radiating elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: ZIH CORP.Inventors: Yevgeniy Borisov, Karl Torchalski, Daniel F. Donato
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Patent number: 8160493Abstract: A system having a UHF RFID transceiver is adapted to communicate exclusively with a single electro-magnetically coupled transponder located in a predetermined confined transponder operating region. The system includes a near field coupling device comprising a plurality of lines connected in parallel with an unmatched load. The near field coupling device may be formed, for example on a printed circuit board with a plurality of electrically interconnected traces and a ground plane. The system establishes, at predetermined transceiver power levels, a mutual electro-magnetic coupling which is selective exclusively for a single transponder located in a defined transponder operating region. Also included are methods for selective communication with the transponder in an apparatus such as a printer-encoder.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2009Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Boris Y. Tsirline, Clive P. Hohberger, Robert Gawelczyk, Daniel F. Donato
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Publication number: 20120038951Abstract: A system having a UHF RFID transceiver is adapted to communicate exclusively with a single electro-magnetically coupled transponder located in a predetermined confined transponder operating region. The system includes a near field coupling device comprising a plurality of lines connected in parallel with an unmatched load. The near field coupling device may be formed, for example on a printed circuit board with a plurality of electrically interconnected traces and a ground plane. The system establishes, at predetermined transceiver power levels, a mutual electro-magnetic coupling which is selective exclusively for a single transponder located in a defined transponder operating region. Also included are methods for selective communication with the transponder in an apparatus such as a printer-encoder.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: ZIH CORP.Inventors: Karl Torchalski, Daniel F. Donato
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Patent number: 8078103Abstract: An RFID communication system comprising a near field coupler that is capable of selectively communicating with a targeted transponder positioned among a group of multiple adjacent transponders. The coupler is configured to receive communication signals from a transceiver and transmit the signals to a targeted transponder in a transponder operating region. The coupler includes a number of radiating elements spaced apart and a switching element. The switching element selectively couples one or more of the radiating elements to the transceiver. The coupled elements transmit the signals into the transponder operating region by emanating a near field effect. The pattern of the near field effect may be adjusted by changing the combination of the coupled radiating elements.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2005Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Yevgeniy Borisov, Karl Torchalski, Daniel F. Donato
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Publication number: 20110169615Abstract: System, methods and computer program product are provided for an adaptive control for adjusting the electromagnetic interrogation signal of an RFID transceiver where said signal is used to read and/or write to an RFID transponder, or to adjust the gain of the RFID transceiver, or adjust both the gain and the signal strength. The system includes a RFID transceiver having at least a transmitter portion and a receiver portion and capable of generating electromagnetic signals, a signal-to-noise ratio module, and an adaptive control module that adjusts the power of the electromagnetic signal of the transmitter portion or the gain of the receiver portion according to the signal-to-noise ratio of a first electromagnetic signal. In one embodiment the system may be employed in printer-encoder devices for reading or encoding RFID transponders during a printing process.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2011Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: ZIH Corp.Inventor: Daniel F. Donato
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Patent number: 7936252Abstract: System, methods and computer program product are provided for an adaptive control for adjusting the electromagnetic interrogation signal of an RFID transceiver where said signal is used to read and/or write to an RFID transponder, or to adjust the gain of the RFID transceiver, or adjust both the gain and the signal strength. The system includes a RFID transceiver having at least a transmitter portion and a receiver portion and capable of generating electromagnetic signals, a signal-to-noise ratio module, and an adaptive control module that adjusts the power of the electromagnetic signal of the transmitter portion or the gain of the receiver portion according to the signal-to-noise ratio of a first electromagnetic signal. In one embodiment the system may be employed in printer-encoder devices for reading or encoding RFID transponders during a printing process.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2005Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventor: Daniel F. Donato
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Publication number: 20110074553Abstract: A printer/encoder system is provided for mounting to a mobile unit, such as a forklift-type vehicle. The printer/encoder system is adapted for printing and encoding one or more media units that may be stored in a media supply assembly of the printer/encoder system. The printer/encoder system may be mounted to the mobile unit using a mobile unit mounting assembly having a shock resistance system for protecting at least portions of the printer/encoder system from mechanical shocks or vibrations that are commonly associated with mobile unit movement. The printer/encoder system may include an encoder assembly structured to encode a transponder, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder, on a media unit. The printer/encoder system may include an encoder assembly having a modular design.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Anthony Brown, Boris Y. Tsirline, Martin Schwan, Karl Torchalski, Tom Zwier, Daniel F. Donato
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Patent number: 7650114Abstract: A system having a UHF RFID transceiver is adapted to communicate exclusively with a single electro-magnetically coupled transponder located in a predetermined confined transponder operating region. The system includes a near field coupling device comprising a plurality of lines connected in parallel with an unmatched load. The near field coupling device may be formed, for example on a printed circuit board with a plurality of electrically interconnected traces and a ground plane. The system establishes, at predetermined transceiver power levels, a mutual electro-magnetic coupling which is selective exclusively for a single transponder located in a defined transponder operating region. Also included are methods for selective communication with the transponder in an apparatus such as a printer-encoder.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2008Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Boris Y. Tsirline, Clive P. Hohberger, Robert Gawelczyk, Daniel F. Donato
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Patent number: 7498942Abstract: A printer controller system for controlling printing on media (e.g., a strip of labels) supporting a series of RFID transponders and for communicating detection of void RFID transponders to downstream devices. The printer controller system includes a void detection system for detecting void RFID transponders, a printing system for controlling printing to the media and a void communication system for communicating detection of the void RFID transponder to downstream devices. This allows the downstream device, such as a label peeler, to anticipate the void RFID transponder and deal with it accordingly. The printer controller may include a media advancement system that is configured to continue advancing the media and RFID transponders past the print head even when the RFID transponder is detected and avoid slowing the printing process. The printer controller system may be configured to submit void indicia to a print head and recommunicate a formatted image when a RFID transponder has been voided.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2006Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: ZIH CorporationInventors: Karl Torchalski, William Shuff, Anthony Brown, Daniel F. Donato, Martin Schwan
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Publication number: 20080298822Abstract: Media rolls, support structures for the media rolls, and media processing systems are provided. A media roll may include an identification transponder having retrievable information regarding the media units and associated media unit transponders wound around a core of the media roll. A support structure may include a spindle for supporting a media roll and include an identification coupler for communicating with the identification transponder. In addition to the spindle having the identification coupler, the media processing systems may include a second coupler for encoding the media unit transponders and a printhead for printing indicia onto the media units. The information retrieved from the identification transponder may be used to adjust one or more encoding and/or printing settings of the systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2007Publication date: December 4, 2008Inventors: Boris Y. Tsirline, Karl Torchalski, Martin Andreas Karl Schwan, Steven Kovanko, Anthony Brown, Chris Aiello, Daniel F. Donato, Robert Gawelczyk, Tom Zwier, William Shuff
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Patent number: 7112001Abstract: A a thermal transfer media printer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the printer selectively programs RFID transponders, and then embeds them into conventional on-demand printed media between the adhesive layer and the release liner. Selective configuration of each printed media sample by addition of value-adding elements may be performed independently for each media sample, under software control during processing of each media sample format print control program. An add-on mechanism is disclosed that can be operatively attached to a conventional media printer. This allows RFID transponder labels to be selectively applied at precise locations on the printed surface of on-demand printed media in connection with existing printers.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2004Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Clive P. Hohberger, Matthew R. Ream, Daniel F. Donato
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Patent number: 6969134Abstract: On demand apparatus for use in a printer, printer module, stand-alone media converter, or other media processor includes a print device and a converting system. The print device receives a series of labels, tickets, tags, cards or other media samples and responds to a set of form and content print instructions which direct the print device regarding what and where to print on selected media samples. The converting system includes an applicator which receives the series of media samples from the print device and a series of value-adding elements. The applicator responds to a set of application instructions which direct the applicator to apply a value-adding element to selected media samples. A corresponding method is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2003Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Clive P. Hohberger, Matthew R. Ream, Daniel F. Donato
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Patent number: 6942403Abstract: A thermal transfer media printer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the printer selectively programs RFID transponders, and then embeds them into conventional on-demand printed media between the adhesive layer and the release liner. Selective configuration of each printed media sample by addition of value-adding elements may be performed independently for each media sample, under software control during processing of each media sample format print control program. An add-on mechanism is disclosed that can be operatively attached to a conventional media printer. This allows RFID transponder labels to be selectively applied at precise locations on the printed surface of on-demand printed media in connection with existing printers.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2004Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Clive P. Hohberger, Matthew R. Ream, Daniel F. Donato
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Publication number: 20030227528Abstract: On demand apparatus for use in a printer, printer module, stand-alone media converter, or other media processor comprises a print device and a converting system. The print device receives a series of labels, tickets, tags, cards or other media samples and responds to a set of form and content print instructions which direct the print device regarding what and where to print on selected media samples. The converting system includes an applicator which receives the series of media samples from the print device and a series of value-adding elements. The applicator responds to a set of application instructions which direct the applicator to apply a value-adding element to selected media samples. A corresponding method is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2003Publication date: December 11, 2003Applicant: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Clive P. Hohberger, Matthew R. Ream, Daniel F. Donato
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Publication number: 20030063001Abstract: A media printer such as, for example, a thermal transfer media printer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the printer selectively programs RFID transponders, and then embeds them into conventional on-demand printed media between the adhesive layer and the release liner. Selective configuration of each printed media sample by addition of value-adding elements may be performed independently for each media sample, under software control during processing of each media sample format print control program. An add-on mechanism is disclosed that can be operatively attached to a conventional media printer. This allows value-adding elements such as RFID transponder labels to be selectively applied at precise locations on the printed surface of on-demand printed media in connection with existing printers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2001Publication date: April 3, 2003Inventors: Clive P. Hohberger, Matthew R. Ream, Daniel F. Donato